BJP slams government on price rise

Amritsar, Jan 18 (ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday criticized the Congress-led-government for price rise.

The BJP'S latest salvo came after sugar prices touched Rupees 50 per kilogram.

"I think that Manmohan Singh -led UPA government is setting new records in inflation... The prices are rising by 200 and 300 percent... Sugar has made a half-century (Rupees 50 per kilogram) whereas the pulses scored the century (Rupees 100 per kilogram)," said Nitin Gadkari, party president.

"We have sold sugar at the rate of Rupees 13 and 14 (per kilogram), we emptied godowns to make cash payment to sugar farmers... When sugar prices were Rupees 13 and 14 (per kilogram) then the federal government gave import and transport subsidy and exported 4.8 million tonnes of sugar," he added.

The prices of basic commodities mainly sugar, pulses and potato has touched a new high. The wholesale price inflation surged to more than a year's high of 7.31 per cent in December on higher food prices.

There are reports that the Centre may extend the deadline for import of duty-free white sugar beyond March 31 to augment domestic supply and curb the rising price. (ANI)